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Sam Slocombe of Bristol Rovers punches the ball clear during a Southend United attack

Rovers starting XI: 4-4-2

Sam Slocombe - goalkeeper

Ever since Slocombe and Adam Smith signed on the same day last summer there has been a huge debate about which keeper is best, and which is first choice. It appears Slocombe, with number 1 on his back, has won the race to start against Posh. He is the more commanding of the two keepers which might have edged it for him.

James Clarke - right back

Rovers are fairly short on options on the flanks in defence but James Clarke looks set to win the race to start.

Daniel Leadbitter has impressed at times this pre-season but with Rovers on the road Clarke offers some more defensive stability. With Joe Partington and Stuart Sinclair both playing very little part in pre-season it appears Clarke will start the season as first choice, with Leadbitter an attacking, game changing option off the bench.

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Tom Lockyer - centre back

The skipper is one of the first names on the team sheet and only a last minute injury would keep him out. While he impressed in the Netherlands, putting in a very sharp performance in a 2-0 victory over FC Eindhoven, like all the defenders involved against Exeter, the 4-0 defeat is a big blot in the copy book.

Tony Craig - centre back

The former Millwall man should edge Tom Broadbent for the other centre back position alongside the skipper. Craig can play at left back, and might be called in to do so as Rovers are very short of options at full back, but after a poor display from Broadbent on Saturday, his services may be more valuable in the centre of the park.

Michael Kelly - left back

The youngster has stepped up from the development squad and taken his chance well. There is nothing flashy about his game, and he will be severely tested by Peterborough, but with so much talk about promoting youngsters at the club, barring a last minute signing Kelly looks set to be given his chance.

Alfie Kilgour has also played at left back this summer, as has Craig, while new signing Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, who was signed from Huddersfield, appears unlikely to feature after not featuring in pre-season.

The new signing is recovering from a knee injury which saw him miss virtually all of last season.

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Ed Upson - centre midfield

None of the six new signings this summer have settled as quickly as the former MK Dons man who looks a real class act. Alongside Sercombe the two have the potential to form a wonderful partnership.

Liam Sercombe - centre midfield

The gem left in the Rovers midfield has got a big season ahead of him. Last season Sercombe was a contender for player of the season, scoring 12 goals in 48 games from the middle of the park, and The Gas will need him in similar form this year without the likes of Billy Bodin, who left in January and Ellis Harrison who moved to Ipswich Town this summer.

Alex Rodman - right wing

Rodman has not had the best pre-season since arriving as a free signing after leaving Shrewbury Town. He hasn’t done anything wrong - he just hasn’t caught the eye as hoped and is being pushed for a starting spot by the like of Sam Matthews.

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Kyle Bennett - left wing

The former Portsmouth man, sporting a new haircut, is probably the most silky, skillful player in the Rovers squad now and is likely to play in a fairly advanced role this season, potentially in behind a striker.

He looks certain to start - but in exactly which position is still unclear with Clarke emphasising he wants his side to be adaptable.

Sam Matthews - central midfield

Ollie Clarke looked set to start in an attacking midfielder role after a man of the match performance against FC Eindhoven but suspension has ruled him out for the starting game of the season.

That means new signing Sam Matthews looks set to make his competitive debut, playing in the number 10 role just behind Reilly.

Gavin Reilly - striker

The closest thing to an out and out senior striker at the club. With Rovers without a number nine, Reilly, who joined from St Mirren is one of three options Clarke has up front, the others being Tom Nichols and Bernard Mensah. Nichols is still struggling for form, while Mensah is a development player who still has some way to go to be League One ready.

Now pick your XI to start at Peteborough United. Don't forget to share it on social media.